Apparatus for charging ammunition boxes



N O s K C A J R G APPARATUS FOR CHARGING AMMUNITION BOXES 5 Shae- 1 15, 1949. G. R. JACKSON ,464,689

APPARATUS FOR CHARGING AMMUNITIONBOXES V 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 13, 1945 arch 15, 1949. G. R. JACKSON APPARATUS FOR CHARGING AMMUNITION BOXES 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 13, 1945 e. R. JACKSON APPARATUS FOR CHARGING AMMUNITION BOXES Filed Aug. 13, 1945 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Mar. 15, 1949 APPARATUS FOR solidated Vultee GING AMMUNITION XES George R. Jackson, Tucson, Arlz., assignor to Con- Alrcraft Corporation,

San

The present invention relates generally to apparatus for charging ammunition boxes. More particularly the invention relates to that type of apparatus which is designed and adapted to charge or fill with cartridge belts the ammunition boxes for the various machine guns on a military type airplane.

In charging the machine gun ammunition boxes on an airplane it has heretofore been customary first to load portable containers with the cartridge belts for the guns, then to hoist the containers into the airplane through the various access openings in the vicinity of the machine gun stations, and finally manually to transfer the cartridge belts from the containers to the ammunition boxes. In practice it has been found that this procedure requires a considerable amount of time and in addition is highly inefficient because manual handling of the cartridge belts often results in misalignment of the cartridges and subsequent jamming of the machine guns.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which is adapted mechanically to charge the ammunition boxes within the airplane from a large-sized container that is positioned exteriorly to the airplane, and is characterized by the fact that it operates at an extremely rapid rate and eliminates the hazards and inefilciency that are incident to the aforementioned manual chargin procedure. In general the apparatus comprises (1) an elongated ri id chute which is adapted to have the cartridge belts feed longitudinally therethrough and has its receiving end connected to the large-sized exteriorly disposed container and its discharge end adapted for insertion through the access openings in the airplane, and (2) power actuated means which is associated with the chute and serves when operated to feed the cartrdige belts from the container through the chute and thence into the ammunition boxes in the airplane.

Another object of the invention is to provide a chargin apparatus of the type and character under consideration in which the receiving end of the main chute is pivotally connected to the container in order that the chute may be swung vertically into different angular positions, and the discharge end of such chute is provided with a flexible chute which serves as a variable extension for the main chute and functions to guide the cartridge belts directly into the ammunition boxes in the airplane.

Another object of the invention is to provide a charging apparatus of the type hereafter mentioned in which the pivotal connection between 15 Claims.

the receiving end of the main chute and the container is detachable, and the flexible chute constituting the variable extension for the main chute is detachably connected to the discharge end of the main chute.

Another object of the invention is to provide a charging apparatus of the last mentioned character in which the large-sized container at the end of the main cartridge belt chute is supported by a truck in order that the apparatus as a whole may be bodily transported from place to place.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a charging apparatus of the aforementioned type and character in which the container is so mounted on the truck that it is slidable horizontally and also is free to swing or rotate about a vertical axis to the end that the main chute may be manipulated into different positions in connection with a cartridge belt feeding operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a charging apparatus of the type and character under consideration in which the main storage container for the cartridge belts embodies means in the form of a boom and a hydraulic jack for swinging the main chute vertically into different angular positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a charging apparatus which is generally of new and improved construction, effectively and cfficiently fulfills its intended purpose and may be operated and adjusted with facility.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present charging apparatus will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly defined by the claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and 'in which like letters and numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

mount whereby the cartridge belt container is so supported with respect to the portable truck that it is slidable horizontally with respect to the truck and also is free to swing or rotate about a vertical axis;

Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal section of the main chute;

Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view of the detachable connection between the receiving end of the main chute and the container;

Figure 7 is an enlarged plan view of the discharge end of the main chute, illustrating in detail the construction, arrangement and design of the detachable connection between the flexible chute and the main chute;

Figure 8 is a vertical transverse section on the line 3--8 of Figure 5.

Figure 9is an enlarged vertical transverse section on the line 99 of Figure 4;

Figure 10 is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line Ill-l of Figure 9 and showing in detail the pivot which forms a part of the mount and serves to permit the container to swing or rotate with respect to the wheel equipped truck;

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical circuit for the booster type units constituting the power actuated means for feeding the cartridge belts through the main and flexible chutes.

The apparatus which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is illustrated in connection with a military type airplane A and serves to charge or fill with cartridge belts B the ammunition boxes for the various machine guns on the airplane. The airplane A is shown in the drawings to illustrate the function or purpose of the apparatus and as well understood in the art has a plurality of access openings in theimmediate vicinity of the various machine gun stations. The machine gun belts B are ofconventional or standard design and each comprises a series of clips which serve to hold, and are interlocked by, the cartridges. As hereinafter described the belts are fed mechanically by the'apparatus into the ammunition boxes which are in the nature of fixed parts of the airplane A and are located adjacent to the machine guns. As its principal components .or parts theapparatus comprises a truck iii, a container II for the cartridge belts B," an elongated rigid main chute l2, a flexible chute l3 at the discharge end of the main chute, and power actuated means ll for feeding the cartridge belts from the container through the two chutes and thence into the ammunition boxes in the airplane A.

connected together for conjoint steering purposes by a tie rod 20. A tongue 2| is connected to the central portion of the axle i3 and serves to permit the truck [0 to be pulled or pushed from place to place The outer or distal end of the tongue is provided with a handle 22. The body l forms a storage compartment for tools and other items for use in servicin th machine guns 4 on the airplane A and has a flat rectangular top 23. The latter extends truly horizontally when the truck is on a level surface, and is formed of plate metal or any other suitable material. The marginal portions of the top are surrounded by an angular bar frame 24 which is fixedly secured in place and serves to reenforce the top against bending or deflection.

The container ll overlies the top 23 of the truck body l5 and comprises a pair of sides 25, a front 28, a back 21, and a bottom 23. The sides are disposed in parallel laterally spaced relation and have the front margins thereof connected to the side margins of the front 26 and their rear margins connected to the side margins of the back 21. The bottom 28 is preferably formed of stiff plate metal and is fixedly connected to the bottom margins of the-sides, front and back of the container by way of a rectangular angular bar frame 23. The latter as shown in the drawings consists of a horizontally extending leg 30 and a vertically extending leg 3|. The horizontally extending leg of the frame is welded to the top face of the bottom 28 and the vertically extending leg 31 is formed integrally with and projects upwards from the horizontally extending leg and surrounds the lower margins of the sides, front and back of the container, In addition to the parts heretofore described the container il comprises a pair of vertically extending partitions 32. The latter are arranged in laterally spaced relation and are parallel to the container sides 25. They are suitably secured in place and serve to divide the interior of the container into three side by side compartments 33. Such compartments serve as storage means for the cartridge belts B. As illustrated in the drawings the belts are arranged in zig zag or serpentine fashion in the compartments. The container is supported on the truck by way of a mount 34 which permits the container to slide horizontally relative to the body of the truck and also to swing or rotate about a vertical axis. The mount 34 comprises a carriage 35 which is disposed between the top 23 of the truck body I 5 and the bottom 23 of the container ll. As shown in the drawings the carriage is square and has at the corners thereof four rollers 35. The latter have concave peripheries and are mounted to travel on a pair of horizontally extending laterally spaced pipe type tracks 31. Said tracks rest on, and extend lengthwise of, the top 23 of the truck body i 5. The ends of the tracks are welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the ends of a pair of angular bars 33 which are riveted to and extend transversely of the end portions of the top 23. The rollers 36 at the corners of the carriage 35 and the pipe type tracks 31 on the top 23 of the truck body coact to permit the carriage to slide bodily in a horizontal plane. In addition to the horizontally slidable carriage 35 the mount 33 comprises a pivot 33 between the container bottom 28 and thecarriage. This pivot 39 consists of a vertically extending cylindrical sleeve 40 which depends from the central portion of the container bottom 23. The upper end of the sleeve 42 is preferably welded to the container bottom in order that thesleeve is in fixed or rigid relation with, said-container bottom. As best shown in Figure 10, the sleeve lll constituting the pivot ward displacement of the sleeve with respect to the carriage. The container H is carried or supported by four casters M. The latter are rotatably mounted on horizontally extending pivot pins 65 and are disposed midway between the track engaging rollers 36 at the corners of the carriage 35. The pivot pins 45 for the casters M are carried by pairs of upstanding lugs 65a on the carriage. The casters 44 are located and disposed at a higher elevation than the rollers 35 and serve to hold the container bottom 28 in spaced relation with respect to the carriage. When it is desired to shift the container horizontally relatively to the truck the carriage 35 is moved or shifted along the pipe type tracks 3'! on the top 23 of the truck body l5. Should it be desired angularly to adjust the container H with respect to the truck it is only necessary to rotate or turn the container. In connection with rotation or turning of the container the depending cylindrical sleeve 40 on the central portion of the container bottom 28 revolves in the circular hole (H in the central portion of the roller equipped carriage 35. The casters 4% carry the weight of the container and its contents and permit of ready swinging of the container with respect to the carriage. When the compartments 33 are filled with the cartridge belts B the container H is so weighted that it tends to remain in the various positions into which it is adjusted or shifted. The size of the container is such that it will hold a sufficient amount of ammunition to service all the guns of the airplane A.

The elongated rigid main chute l2 extends from the front 26 of the container H and serves as a conveyor whereby the cartridge belts are fed from the compartments 33 to the flexible chute l3. As hereinafter described in detail the belts after being fed to the flexible chute by way of the main chute l2 are directed into the ammunition boxes for the machine guns on the airplane A. The main chute I2 is preferably formed of comparatively stiiT plate metal and consists of a bottom Wall 56 and a pair of laterally spaced upstanding side walls 41. The latter have the lower margins thereof formed integrally with the side margins of the bottom wall 66 and define with the bottom wall a channel 48 through which the cartridge belts B are capable of being fed longitudinally. The upper margins of side walls 47 are provided with integral inwardly extending flanges 49 which overlie the ends of the cartridges and serve to hold the belts in the channel 38 during travel thereof through the chute l2. Metallic strips 50 are welded to and extend between the flanges 49 and function to prevent lateral flexure of the side walls 41 of the main chute. The receiving end of the main chute, that is, the end that is located adjacent to the front wall 26 of the cartridge belt container H is connected to the container by a detachable pivotal connection 5| which permits the main chute to be swung vertically into different angular positions in connection with longitudinal feed of the cartridge belts B therethrough. This connection is in the form of a comparatively short flexible chute 52 which is the same in cross sectional design as the main chute and forms a continuation of the latter. One end of the flexible chute 52 constituting the detachable pivotal connection 5| registers with and is suitably joined to the receiving end of the main chute I2. The other end of the flexible chute is provided with a pair of laterally spaced releasable attaching devices 53 whereby the flexible chute may be selectively connected to any one of three side by side brackets 54 on the upper portion of the front 26 of the cartridge belt container H. The attaching devices 53 are in the form of U-shaped spring metal strips which are arranged so that the bent portions thereof project away from the flexible chute 52 and consist of inner legs 55 and outer legs 56. The free ends of the inner legs are fixedly secured to the side walls of the flexible chute 52. The outer legs 56 of the attaching devices 53 have the free ends thereof bent outwards to form finger pieces 5! and embody on the central portions thereof outstruck lugs 58. The brackets 55 are associated with the three container compartments 33, respectively. Each of the brackets comprises a pair of vertically extending laterally spaced plates 59 and these are suitably and fixedly secured to the upper portion of the container front wall 26 and have at the upper outer corners thereof a pair of outwardly positioned tubular members 60 for receiving the U-shaped spring metal strips constituting the attaching devices 53. The outer walls of the tubular members 50 are provided with cutouts Bl. When the attaching devices 53 are inserted into the tubular members 60 the outer legs 55 are compressed toward the inner legs until such time as the outwardly extending outstruck lugs 58 become aligned with the cutouts 6| in the outer walls of the tubular members 60. At such time the outer legs spring outwards and result in the lugs being brought into such seated relation with the cutouts as to connect the attaching devices to the tubular members. When it is desired to detach the flexible chute 52 from the associated bracket 54 the finger pieces 51! are urged inwards in order to unseat the lugs 58 with respect to the cutouts 6!. As soon as the lugs are unseated the attaching device may be slid out of connected relation with the tubular members. Each of the brackets 56 is provided with a horizontally extending roller 52 and this extends between the two side plates 59 and is rotatably mounted on a horizontally extending pivot shaft 63. The rollers 62 on the brackets serve to guide the machine gun belts B from the compartments into the flexible chute 52. It is contemplated that the flexible chute 52 will be connected to one of the brackets 54 until there is complete feed of the cartridge belts from the compartment with which the one bracket is associated. After feed of such belts the flexible chute 52 will be detached or disconnected from the one bracket and connected to one of the other brackets. The flexible chute 52 and the brackets 54 constitute a readily detachable pivotal connection between the container and the receiving end of the elongated rigid main chute l2 and permit the main chute to be selectively connected to receive the cartridge belts in the three container compartments 33. When it is desired to use the charging apparatus the flexible chute 52 is connected to one of the brackets 58 by inserting the attaching devices 53 into the tubular members 60 on the front outer corners of the two side plates of the one bracket. Thereafter the end of the cartridge belt that is at the top 01 the compartment which is in alignment with the main chute is drawn over the roller 62 on the one bracket and is inserted into the flexible chute 52 and then fed into the main chute for feeding therethrough. By reason of the fact that the connection 5| in the form of the flexible chute 52, which permits 7 the main chute to be swung vertically, it ispossible to locate the discharge end oi. the main chute at any desired height and thus bring it into registry with any one of the access openings I in the airplane A. By providing the mount :4 between the cartridge belt container H and the wheel equipped truck ill the main chute i2 may be swung and also bodily shifted laterally and hence it is capable of being positioned'properly to effect the feed of the cartridge belts into the airplane access openings. By reason of the fact that the apparatus includes the mount 34 and the pivotal connection it the discharge end of the chute I2 may be successively placed in registry with two adjacent access openings without the necessity of moving the truck Ill.

The flexible chute i3 is located at, and forms a continuation of, the discharge end of the elongated rigid main chute II. It serves as a variable extension for the main chute and functions to guide the cartridge belts directly into the ammunition boxes in the airplane A. The cross sectional design or construction of the flexible chute i3 is the same as that of the main chute. The inner or receiving end of the flexible chute is detachably connected to the discharge end of the main chute by way of a pair of attaching devices 64. These devices are the same in design and construction as the attaching devices 83 on the flexible chute 52 constituting the detach able pivotal connection SI and are in the form of U-shaped spring metal strips. As shown in, the drawings the strips are arranged so that the bends thereof project away from the flexible chute l3 and consist of inner legs 65 and outer legs 68. l The free ends the inner legs B5 of the attaching devices 84 are flxedly connected to the side walls of the flexible chute It. The outer legs 66 of the devices 64 embody outwardly extending finger pieces 61 at their free or outer ends and have centrally disposed outstruck lugs 88. The devices 64 are adapted to flt within a pair of tubular members 89 on the discharge end 0! the main chute l2. Said members 69 are mounted on the side walls 41 of the main chute. They are similar to the tubular members 60 on the brackets 54 and have in the outer walls thereof cutouts for the lugs 68 on. the central portions of the outer legs 68 of the attaching devices 04. When it is desired to connect the flexible chute ii to the discharge end or the main chute the attaching devices 64 are inserted into the tubular members 69 until the lugs 68 snap outwards and become interlocked with the cutouts It. In order to detach or disconnect the flexible chute it, it is only necessary to compress the flnger pieces 81 in order to unseat the lugs 68 with respectto the cutouts 10. It is contemplated that in charging an ammunition box in the airplane A the discharge end of the main chute will be manipulated into a position wherein it extends through the airplane access opening that is nearest to the box to be charged. As soon as the discharge end of the main chute is so manipulated the flexible chute II will be flexed into a position wherein the discharge end thereof extends into the box. In connection with operation' of the apparatus it is contemplated that the operator will hold the flexible chute I! in place and manually guide the machine gun belts into the box.

The power actuated means II for feeding the cartridge belts B from the container ll'successively through the main chute l2 and the flexible chute It comprises a pair 0! booster type units 8 H and 12. The unit ii is mounted on the receiving end of the main chute i2 and the unit 12 is mounted on the discharge end oi the main chute. The unit II is disposed between a pair of side plates 13 and comprises a pair of laterally spaced stationary circular heads I. and a rotary cylindrical drum ll between the two heads. The side plates 13 are connected to'and project upwards from the side walls 41 of the main chute and have the heads ll clamped to the inner faces by way 01 cap screws or other attaching devices. The drum II is provided with a pair or laterally spaced sprocket wheels II and these are adapted in connection with the drive oi the drum to engage the cartridges oi the belts B and eflect feed or propulsion oi the belts through the two chutes i2 and it. An electric motor Ila is disposed within the drum 1! and has the arma-V ture thereof connected to drive the drum by way of speed reducing gearing lib. The drum II is positioned directly over the channel ll and is arranged so that the lower portions of the two sprocket wheels 16 extend into the channel for cartridge engaging purposes. The other booster type unit, that is the unit 12, is the same in design as the unit II. It is positioned between a pair of laterally spaced side plates 11 at the discharge end oi the main chute and comprises a pair of stationary heads I: and a cylindrical rotatable drum 19. The plates 11 are connected to and project upwards from the side walls 41 of the main chute i2 and have the heads 18 bolted against their inner faces. The drum II is disposed between two heads and embodies a pair of laterally spaced sprocket wheels lll'i'or engaging the cartridges of the belts B. An electric motor 12a within the drum I9 serves when energized to drive the drum for belt feeding purposes.

The motors of the two booster type units are of the reversible variety in order that the drums with the sprocket wheels may be driven in either direction. When the two motors are conjointly driven in one direction they serve to feed the cartridge belts from the container ll through the main flexible chutes I2 and I; as heretofore described. It is contemplated that the two motors will be reversely driven in connection with charging of the container ll. When it is desired to charge the container II the cartridge belts which are ultimately fed by the charging apparatus into the ammunition boxes in the airplane A are fed into the outer end of the flexible chute l3 and the motors for the two booster type units are then reversely driven in order to feed the cartridge belts into the container ll. After one of the compartments is filled the main chute i2 is detached from the bracket Bl that is associated with the filled compartment and it is then connected to one of the other brackets. It is also contemplated that the motors for the two booster type units will be reversely driven in the event that it is desired to unload the ammunition boxes in the airplane. In such case the cartridge belts in the ammun t on boxes will be fed successively through the flexib e and main chutes l3 and I2 and returned to the container II. The motors of the booster type units II and 12 are of the series wound variety for reversing purposes and are supplied with electric current from any suitable source such for example as a battery (not shown) in the body I! of the truck III. The circuit for the motors 'Ila'and 12a is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 11 of the drawings and includes a double pole double throw switch 8|. The various conductors that lead to and from this switch are of such length that the switch is portable and may be carried back and forth between the receiving and discharge ends of the main chute i2. In connection with charging of the ammunition boxes the switch 8| will be positioned adjacent the discharge end of the main chute in order that the operator may control the feed of the cartridge belts while at the same time guiding them as they are discharged from the flexible chute l3. In connection with charging of the container H it is contemplated that the switch 8| will be positioned adjacent the container II in order that the operator may control the operation of the motors while directing feed of the belts into the compartments 33 in the container. The movable part of the double pole double throw switch 8| has three positions. In one position the switch causes the motors of the booster type units to rotate so as to effect feed of the cartridge belts from the container through the main and flexible chutes. In the second position of the movable part of the switch the motors are caused reversely to operate for the purpose of charging the container H. The third position of the movable part of the switch is a neutral position wherein there is no supply of current from the,

source to the two motors.

In add tion to the parts heretofore described the charging apparatus comprises means for swinging the main chute l2 vertically into different angular positions. Such means consists of a boom 82 and a hydraulic jack 83. The boom 82 extends between the front 26 of the container H and the central portion of the rigid main chute i2 and comprises a pair of parallel laterally spaced arms 84. As shown in the drawings the arms 8d are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of the container. Certain adjacent ends of the arms 88 are fixedly connected to a horizontally extending pivot shaft 85. The latter is disposed in front ,of the central portion of the container front 26 and has its ends journaled in bearings 86 on the upper front portions of a pair of parallel laterally spaced side frames 87. The central and rear portions o the two side frames fit against and are suitably secured to the outer faces of the sides 25 of the container ll. Tube type braces 88 extend between. and are fixedly connected to, the central portion of the pivot shaft 85 and the central portions of the boom arms 84 and serve rigidly to cross-connect the two arms. A pivot shaft 89 having a, rest plate 90 welded to its upper portion extends between the distal ends of boom arms 8%. The ends of this pivot shaft extend loosely through holes in said distal ends of the boom arms and are provided with cotter pins or similar devices whereby the pivot shaft 89 is held against axial displacement with respect to the boom. The rest plate 90 is adapted to underlie and fit slidably against the central portion of the bottom wall 66 of the main chute H2. The length of the rest plate is such that the main chute i2 is supported by the rest plate while disposed in any one of its three laterally disposed positions. In other words the main chute is supported by the rest plate regardless of whether it is connected to one of the brackets 54 or either of the other two brackets. The hydraulic jack 83 underlies the proximal end of the boom 82 and consists of an upstanding cylinder 9! and a piston (not shown) in the cylinder. The lower end of the cylinder 9! is fixedly connected to a bed plate 92 which extends across and is fixedly connected to the front lower portions of the side frames 81. The piston is slidably mounted in the cylinder and embodies an upwardly extending rod 93 which extends slidably through a stufliing box in the upper end of the cylinder 9|. The upper end of the piston rod abuts against one end of an arm 9d. The other end of such arm is fixedly connected to the pivot shaft 85. -The hydraulic jack 83 includes an operating lever and a conventional control mechanism (not shown) whereby in response to oscillation of the lever the piston is caused either to slide upwards or downwards. When the lever is brought to rest the piston is locked against sliding movement relatively to the cylinder. When the jack is operated so as to slide the piston upwards the boom 82 and the main chute l2 are caused to swing upwards. Downward sliding movement of the piston results in lowering of the boom and corresponding lowering of the main chute 12.

When it is desired to use the charging apparatus, the truck ill, after fillingof the compartments 33 in the container H with the cartridge belts B, is wheeled to a point where it is positioned adjacent of the access openings in the airplane A. As heretofore pointed out filling or charging of the container is effected by inserting the cartridge belts B into the flexible chute l3 and then reversely driving the motors for the booster type units if and 72. After the truck is properly positioned the hydraulic jack 83 is operated so as to swing the main chute I2 up wards into an angular position wherein the discharge end thereof is disposed in close proximity to one of the airplane access openings. Thoreafter the container H is swung or shifted bodily until the discharge end of the chute extends into such access opening. Upon completion of this operation the operator of the charging apparatus flexes the flexible chute i3 until the outer discharge end thereof extends into the airplane ammunition box to be filled. After properly positioning the discharge end of the flexible chute the operator by proper manipulation of the sw tch 8! causes such drive of the two booster type units ii and '82 as to effect feeding of the cartridge belts B from the container H successively through the main chute l2 and the flexible chute i3. As the belts are discharged from the flexible chute the operator guides them in a zig zag fashion into the ammunition box..

As soon as the box is filled the movable part of the switch 86 is shifted by the operator into its neutral position in order to stop operation of the belt feeding units. I

The herein descri"ed charging apparatus effectively and efiiciently fulfills its intended purpose and is characterized by the fact that it operates at an extremely rapid rate. It is comparatively simple in design or construction and hence may be manufactured at a low or reasonable cost. Because of the manner in which the container II is mounted on the wheel equipped truck ID the chutes l2 and 13 may be manipulated into operative relation with several access openings in the airplane without the necessity of moving or shifting the truck ID. The charging apparatus is also characterized by facility of adjustment.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Having thus described the invention what claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus designed to charge a machine gun ammunition box, and comprising a portable container adapted to hold a cartridge belt, an elongated substantially rigid portable chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough and having one end thereof connected pivotally to the container so that it is capable of swinging vertically and its other end adapted for disposition adjacent the ammunition box, and power actuated means mounted on the chute and adapted when operated to feed the belt from the container through the chute for discharge into the ammunition box.

2. An apparatus designed to charge a machine gun ammunition box in a vehicle with an excess opening near the box, and comprising a portable open top container adapted to house a cartridge belt and be positioned exteriorly of the vehicle and adjacent the access opening, an elongated substantially rigid portable chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough and having one end thereof pivotally connected to the upper portion of the container so that it is capable of swinging vertically and. its other end adapted to be positioned adjacent the access opening in the vehicle, and power actuated means mounted on the chute and adapted when operated to feed the belt from the container through the chute for discharge into the ammunition box.

3. An apparatus designed to charge a machine gun ammunition box and comprisinga portable container adapted to hold a cartridge belt, an elongated substantially rigid portable chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass lengthwise therethrough and having one end thereof attached to the container by a detachable pivotal connection and its other end adapted for disposition adjacent the ammunition box, and power actuated means mounted on the chute and adapted when operated to feed the belt from the container through the chute for discharge into the ammunition box. 4. An apparatus designed to charge a machine gun ammunition box and comprising a portable container adapted to house a cartridge belt, an elongated substantially rigid portable main chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough and having one end thereof pivotally connected to the container and its other end adapted for disposition adjacent the ammunition box, a comparatively short flexible chute connected to said other end of, and forming an extension for, the main chute and adapted to be flexed into a position wherein its outer end leads to the ammunition box, and power actuated means mounted on the chute and adapted when operated to feed the belt from the container successively through the main and flexible chutes and thence into said ammunition box.

,5. An apparatus designed to charge a machine gun ammunition box and comprising a portable container adapted to hold a cartridge belt, an elongated portable main chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough and having one end thereof attached to the container by a detachable pivotal connection and its other end adapted for disposition adjacent the ammunition box, a flexible chute connected detachably to said other end of, and forming an extension for, the main chute and adap d to be flexed into a position wherein its outer end leads to the ammunition box. and power actuated means mounted on the chute and adapted when operated to feed the belt from the container successively through the main and flexible chutes and into said ammunition box.

6. An apparatus designed to charge a machine gun ammunition box or the like and comprising a portable container adapted to hold a cartridge belt, an elongated substantially rigid portable chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough and having one end thereof connected to the container and the other end adapted for disposition adjacent the ammunltion box, and power means for feeding the belt from the container through the chute and thence into the ammunition box, embodying a pair of booster type units mounted, respectively, on the end portitons of the chute and each including a rotary cartridge engaging sprocket wheel and a motor for driving the latter.

'7. An apparatus designed to charge a machine gun ammunition box and comprising a portable. container adapted to hold a cartridge belt, an elongated substantially rigid portable main chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough and having one end thereof pivotally connected to the container and its other end adaptedfor disposition adjacent the ammunition box, a flexible chute connected to said other end of, and forming an extension for,

the main chute and adapted to be flexed into a V position wherein its outer end leads to the ammunition box, and power means for feeding the belt from the container-successively through the main and flexible chutes and thence into the said ammunition box, embodying a pair of booster type units mounted, respectively, on the end portions of the main chute and each including a rotary cartridge engaging sprocket wheel and an electric motor for driving the latter.

8. A cartridge belt feeding apparatus comprising an elongated substantially rigid portable chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough, a booster type unit mounted on the chute, adapted to feed the belt in either direction through said chute and embodying a rotary cartridge engaging sprocket wheel and a reversible series wound electric motor connected to drive the wheel. and an electric circuit for the motor including a portable double pole double throw switch and flexible electrical conductors extending between the switch and the motor and of such length that the switch is capable of being moved back and forth between the end portions of the chute.

9. A cartridge belt feeding apparatus comprising an elongated substantially rigid portable chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough, power means for feeding the'belt in either direction through the chute, embodying a pair of booster type units mounted, respectively, on the end portions of the chute and each including a rotary cartridge engaging sprocket wheel and a reversible series wound electric motor connected to drive the wheel, and an electric circuit for the motors oi the units comprising a portable double pole double throw control switch and flexible electrical conductors extending between the switch and the motors and of such length as to permit the switch to be moved back and forth between the end portions of the chute.

'10. An apparatus designed to charge 'a mai chine gun ammunition box and comprising a supporting structure, a portable container adapted to hold a cartridge belt and mounted on the supporting structure so that it is capable of swinging sidewise, an elongated substantially rigid chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough and having one end thereof connected to the container and its other end adapted for disposition adjacent the ammunition box, and power actuated means mounted on the chute and adapted when operated to feed the belt from the container through the chute and thence into the ammunition box.

11. An apparatus designed to charge a machine gun ammunition box and comprising a supporting structure, a container adapted to hold a cartridge belt and mounted on the supporting structure so that it is slidable horizontally, an elongated substantially rigid chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough and having one end thereof connected to the container and its other end adapted for disposition adjacent the ammunition box, and power actuated means mounted on the chute and adapted when operated to feed the belt from the container through the chute and thence into the ammunition box.

12. An apparatus designed to charge a machine gun ammunition box and comprising a supporting structure, a container adapted to hold a cartridg belt and mounted on the supporting structure so that it is' slidable horizontally and also capable of swinging or rotating about a vertical axis, an elongated substantially rigid chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough and having one end thereof connected to the container so that it is capable of swinging vertically and its other end adapted for disposition adjacent the ammunition box, and power actuated means mounted on the chute and adapted when operated to feed the belt from the container through the chute and thence into the ammunition box.

13. An apparatus designed to charge a machine gun ammunition box and comprising a container adapted to hold a cartridge belt, an elongated substantially v rigid portable chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough and having one end thereof pivotally connected to the container so that it is capable of swinging vertically and its other end adapted for disposition adjacent the ammunition box, power actuated means mounted on the chute and adapted when operated to feed th belt from the container through the chute and thence into the said ammunition box, and means for adiustably supporting the chute emasses bodying a boom disposed beneath the chute and having one end thereof pivotally connected to the container and its other end operatively connected to the central portion of the chute.

14. An apparatus designed to charge a machine gun ammunition box and comprising a container adapted to hold a cartridge belt, an elongated substantially rigid portable chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough and having one end thereof pivotally connected to the container so that it is capable of swinging vertically and its other end adapted for disposition adjacent the ammunition box, power actuated means mounted on the chute and adapted when operated to feed the belt from the container through the chute and thence into the ammunition box, and means for adjustably supporting the chute embodying a boom disposed beneath the chute and having one end thereof pivotally connected to the container and its other end in sliding engagement with the central portion of said chute, and power mechanism for swinging the boom.

15 An apparatus designed to charge a machine gun ammunition box and comprising a container adapted to hold a cartridge belt, an elongated substantially rigid chute shaped and designed to have the belt pass longitudinally therethrough and having one end thereof pivotally connected to the container so that it is capable of swinging vertically and its other end adapted for disposition adjacent the ammunition box, power actuated means mounted on the chute and adapted when operated to feed the belt from the container through the chute and thence into the ammunition box, and means for adjustably supporting the chute embodying a vertically swinging boom disposed beneath the chute and having one end thereof pivotally connected to the container and its other end in sliding engagement with the central portion of said chute and a hydraulic jack extending between the container and the boom and arranged to swing the boom.

GEORGE R. JACKSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name mte 855,737 White June 4, 1907 2,136,214 Keith Nov. 8, 1938 2,310,884 Trevaskis Feb. 9, 1943 2,375,437 O'Hare May 8, 1945 2,382,715 Hertel Aug. 14, 1945 

